Kansas football took down Oklahoma State 38-21 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday. The Jayhawks picked up their first win in a month by defeating the now 1-8 Cowboys to move one win away from bowl eligibility. 

Kansas found itself down 10-3 early in the game, but used a strong defense and run game to pull away. With the win, the Jayhawks moved to 5-4 on the season and 3-3 in Big 12 Conference play. Here are three takeaways from the win: 

When Fully Healthy, The Kansas Rushing Attack is Deadly

The Kansas backfield tandem of Daniel Hishaw and Leshon Williams was the healthiest it's been since the beginning of the season. Both have appeared on the injury report and been banged up this season, but were both healthy Saturday. The duo combined for three touchdowns and 142 yards on the ground. 

The Jayhawks also got some quarterbacks and receivers involved in the run game. Jalon Daniels ended the game with six carries and 28 yards. Backup QB Isaiah Marshall also broke free on a designed run, showing his rushing ability for 43 yards. Wide receiver Cam Pickett had one carry for 19 yards, rounding out Kansas’ 232 yards on the ground

The Jayhawks' Pass Defense is a Work In Progress

With the 1-7 Cowboys coming to town and Oklahoma State only averaging 286 yards of offense per game, this was a chance for the Jayhawks' defense to get back on track. They did in some capacity, but the passing defense still has some questions. 

Oklahoma State quarterback Zane Flores completed 22 of his 28 pass attempts for 235 yards and two touchdowns. The Cowboys opened the game with a 10-play touchdown scoring drive, carving up the Jayhawks’ secondary. The Kansas secondary has not forced an interception since the Texas Tech loss on Oct. 11, so the Jayhawks likely need to tighten up their pass defense to reach bowl eligibility. 

Kansas’ Special Teams Can Be a Real Game Changer

The Jayhawks' special teams have been a key contributor this season. Here is how they affected Saturday’s win: 

Field Goals: Kicker Laith Marjan nailed a 39-yard field goal and hasn't missed a kick all season. He is 12-12 on field goals. 

Kick Returns: Emmanuel Henderson returned three kicks for 64 yards, including a 56-yard burst. 

Punting: The Kansas offense did its job, and the Jayhawks did not punt all day. 

Overall, those are three takeaways from Kansas’ 38-21 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday. 

Kansas continues Big 12 Conference action next Saturday, Nov. 8, when the Jayhawks head to Tucson, Arizona, to face the Arizona Wildcats. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.